In this paper, we ask a fundamental question: How do we hide a target community from being exposed to a community detection algorithm, assuming limited rewiring operations are allowed? In other words, can a node or a community disguise its positioning in the network in order to escape detection [1]}? We call this problem Hide and Seek Community (HSC). Answering this question matters since it helps the social network users in hiding their identity from online surveillanceMislove et al. [2]} showed how by breaking down Facebook user network and attributes of certain users, it is possible to gather private data about other Facebook users. [3]}. It also helps law-enforcement organizations identify criminal acts deceiving online identity [4]}. This may also be useful for counter-terrorism units in order to deploy spies into a terrorist network. The solution of the current problem would help the spies determine who they should start a new friendship with (edge addition) or which existing friendship they should try to break (edge deletion) to conceal their community identity. However, one may argue that the same method can be misused by the adversaries. Nonetheless, we believe that our investigation brings issues to light for the plan of novel community detection methods vigorous to deception strategies.
